Femi Ashekun/
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has issued a measured yet firm response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to halt American financial assistance to South Africa over its new land expropriation law.
Ramaphosa clarified that the legislation is intended to rectify historical injustices and promote equitable access to land, asserting that it aligns with the country’s constitutional mandate.
In a statement addressing the growing controversy, Ramaphosa emphasised that the Expropriation Bill is not about land confiscation but aims to address the enduring disparities caused by apartheid. “The law is not about confiscation but aims to address the inequities from apartheid, ensuring public access to land in a just manner,” he explained.
President Trump, via his Truth Social platform, announced the immediate suspension of all U.S. funding to South Africa, describing the land reform as a “massive human rights violation.”
He accused the South African government of targeting certain populations through what he termed “unjust land confiscations.” Trump further stated that aid would remain frozen until a thorough investigation into the law’s implications is conducted.
The ripple effects of Trump’s announcement were felt in financial markets, with the South African rand falling 1.6% against the U.S. dollar. This reflects fears of economic instability as tensions escalate between the two nations.
Ramaphosa, however, downplayed the impact of Trump’s decision, pointing out that apart from PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programme funding, the U.S. provides minimal financial assistance.
“Beyond PEPFAR, there is no significant U.S. funding to South Africa,” he remarked, highlighting the self-reliance of South Africa’s development programmes.
The Expropriation Bill, signed into law last month, allows the government to expropriate land without compensation under specific conditions.
It is designed to accelerate land reform and address the entrenched inequalities of apartheid-era land ownership. Critics, however, argue that the law could deter investment and destabilise the agricultural sector.
International voices have joined the debate, with entrepreneur Elon Musk accusing the South African government of being “anti-white” in its approach to land reform.
Government officials dismissed these claims, reiterating that the policy is focused on equitable redistribution rather than racial discrimination.
Ramaphosa has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. to address concerns and clarify the objectives of South Africa’s land reform.
“We are ready to discuss these issues constructively with all stakeholders, including the United States,” he affirmed, seeking to dispel misconceptions and preserve international relations.
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